Page 46 of Sinful in Scrubs

“But you brought a woman into our house. How could you disrespect Mom like that?”

There was a pause, and I swear I could hear Marcus growl with frustration.

“This was never your mother’s home, and bringing a guest over for dinner is hardly disrespectful to her memory.”

“Well, you can’t make me eat dinner with her.” Lily’s voice was wound tight and laced with tears.

“Why would I put her through that? Clearly, you are not welcome at the table tonight.”

Marcus’s lips were set in a firm line when he returned to the dining room. “I apologize for my daughter’s behavior.”

“You shouldn’t have to apologize because Lily has a bug up her butt,” Jason muttered.

“Jason, that is inappropriate.” But I noticed Marcus didn’t reprimand him further.

“It’s hard being a teenager,” I said. “And she probably sees me as some kind of a threat.”

“You are not a threat, Emma.”

I shook my head.

“Dinner was… thank you for dinner. It was delicious. But I should go. You have to work some stuff out with your daughter.”

“Do you have to go?” Jason practically whined.

“I’ve had a long day,” I admitted. “And I don’t think I could handle your defeating me at Mario Kart anymore tonight. I should go.”

I slowly stood up and picked up my plate to take it into the kitchen.

Marcus stood and took my plate from me. He then grabbed Lily’s plate and, with his back, pushed his way into the kitchen, and I followed him in.

“I’ll see you home.”

“No, you don’t have to. I can… I can get myself home.”

He set the plates into the sink and leaned his hip against the counter, folding his arms. He looked at me, his eyes raking all the way down to my toes before returning to my face and meeting my eyes.

“You’re still shaken up, and I don’t think what Lily had to say was very helpful. I would feel better if you let me see you home.”

“Well, you’re a grown man, and I can’t stop you. Will the kids be okay?”

“The kids are old enough. They know how to lock the door behind me.”

Instead of taking the long hallway back to the front of the house, we cut through the dining room, where Jason had abandoned his plate. We found him back on the couch in the living room with a game controller in hand.

“I’m going to take Dr. Emma home. I need you to do the dishes tonight.”

“Dad…”

“Jason.”

All he had to do was say his son’s name, and the kid’s entire demeanor changed. He set down the game controller and stood up, heaving his shoulders with a heavy sigh. “Okay, I’ll get the dishes done.”

“I’ll be back later.”

I shrugged into my coat and slung my satchel over my shoulder. Marcus followed as I walked down the stairs from his door to the sidewalk.

“It’s nice. Do you mind if we walk to the corner before we catch a cab?” he suggested.

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